Premier Rock Forum

Justin from Queens wrote:I live in NYC and so do most of my record shopping at Aquarius records, on Valencia St.

AQ

I've never been to EarXTC, but they'd have to be pretty good to be better than Aquarius.

Like, really good.

= Justin[/url]

aquarius is in SF. there are good shops in NY. Academy in Brooklyn, is a personal fav.

DrAwkward wrote:Don't forget--they also had David "Bud Bundy" Faustino's rap album.

I say this in a "that record store RULES!" sort of way.

Holy shit! Is it as good as Mr T's Commandments?

Overall Variety- Amoeba in LA
Best Used Variety- Reckless Records Chicago (the one on Broadway). You can buy so many things here for $9.99 or less that would cost at least $20 on ebay.
Jazz Vinyl- There was this place on Portobello Road in London, I don't know what it is called, but they have the best Jazz variety I've seen.


Honorable mention- there was this great store in Newcastle, UK around 96-98 (sometime in that time-frame) that was amazing. They had great indie rock and experimental variety. As far as record stores go, this was the most formative for me. I don't think this place even had a name on the outside. I know there are some people on this board from the NE of England, so does anyone remember this place? It was near Haymarket Metro station, down the side street next to the KFC, across from the Barclay's Bank.

Don wrote:

themajormiller wrote:Sound Exchange in Houston, TX is far and away the best record store I've ever been to.

I admire their tenacity - it seems that they should have closed years ago. I'm glad they're still open. Kurt, Kevin, and David are really nice guys. Speaking of nice guys with record stores in Houston, check out Chuck Roast's Vinal Edge Records in Spring.

I think I went to Sound Exchange 10 years ago and though it was amazing. Then I tracked it down a couple of years ago and I didn't think it was that great.
Vinal Edge is really good, but it always seems like there is more listed on their website than they actually have in the store. Is the website supposed to list things they CAN get or is it supposed to represent what they actually have? Minor complaint, though. I really like it. I also like their Genetic Memory Radio show on the Rice Univ station. Is it still on? I'm going to Houston this weekend.

[quote="alex maiolo"]Not a big fan of LA, but I second Amoeba. Wow, it's amazing.

/quote]

I have been to Amoeba records several times...both the one in LA and the one in San Francisco, and have been kinda underwhelmed. They have lots of stuff, but I never walked into one and found a single record I actually wanted. Lots of impluse buys, and lots of new stuff I wasn't sure about, but the only time I get exactly what I want is when I buy it online. Usually on ebay, unfortunately.

The same goes for local record stores up here in Seattle. Singles Going Steady has some great stuff, and Electric Heavyland is way cool (may they stay open long time)...I usually buy from Wall of Sound, even though they are fairly 'electronic'. There are a couple of other stores that are cool, but they typically stock CD's. I really want vinyl, and I'm willing to pay...

C'mon, reissues...

Hokay,

Here in Birmingham UK, we have the wonderful Tempest with super knowledgable staff and they're super friendly and play in a few local bands. Lots of vinyl, lots of 7". You can sometimes find a corker in there, I found all my Shellac 7"s in there years ago and I came across the Big N/US Maple thingy 4way split thing. Loads of new releases on vinyl and good selection of dvds. Massive cd, purely a-z. Ther's another floor for dance and another for hip hop i do believe but this shop is great for indie/hardcore/punk etc...

Swordfish is great too but the staff consists of the same guy who's been there forever and never talks or smiles unless you are a man with an interest in whatever he's interested in. Lot's of old vinyl, 80's and 90's US indie rock, massive japanese, movie soundtrack, psychadelia, jazz etc... cd section. Some stuff is surprisingly cheap but sometimes I get annoyed when there is nothing on the racks by MoAM, Ted Leo etc..when you're after a replacement, you expect something there dammit!

I'd like to second the call for Waterloo in Austin, TX. I will go back there one day and but everything. Or, I'd love to work in there, it's one of the best shops I've ever been to in terms of range of stock, prices, layout etc..

Big shout out to Edgeworld in Brighton. Fucking minature place run by my pretend dad Colin and manned by local musicians. Stock loads of UK indie 7"s, really good dvds, really good interesting dance and hip hop 12"s and fair selection of your run of the mill indie. All split up into record labels rather than genres mainly.

I'm scared to go to Amoeba.

Must agree with a previous poster....Ground Zero was the greatest record store on the planet (perhaps in the universe), but it closed, which is pretty terrible.

So, Ear X-tacy takes the prize in Louisville (and I have my doubts that there is a cooler store around). Yes, the staff is a little holier than thou, but that is kind of part of the experience.

Now that I live in Des Moines, the coolest record store around is ZZZ Records. www.zzzrecords.com/

It is a vinyl lovers wet dream, but it isn't all that big. Maybe one day. At least there is something in the DM.

Hello guys, I need an update on record shops in London. I've been to old Rough Trade shops and in Berwick street during my previous visits.

I am aware that buying records here in UK is bloody expensive compared to USA but I'll try anyway.

I am interested in new or near mint condition:

1970s classic rock titles
soul/funk
reggae/dub
krautrock

Any news?

Thanks,

d.

elisha wiesner wrote:the best record store on martha's vineyard is aboveground records. fantastic selection, good vinyl section, good prices,cool live shows etc... it blows away just about any store in massachusetts.

-ew

Wow. No kidding. I just came back from there, and by far the guys are the nicest record store guys I've ever met. Last year we talked for a while about Weston, Shellac playing there, etc. This year I bought a bunch of Karate records and they clued me in to the Glorytellers. And chatted my son up about the Star Wars figures adorning the store. I fucking love that shop. I think I'm just too used to Mondo Kims and NYC bullshit.

sunyab wrote:

elisha wiesner wrote:the best record store on martha's vineyard is aboveground records. fantastic selection, good vinyl section, good prices,cool live shows etc... it blows away just about any store in massachusetts.

-ew

I think I'm just too used to Mondo Kims and NYC bullshit.

Agreed about Above Ground. Great shop.

What about Other Music in NYC? Not bullshit in my opinion.